Bristol Freighter Aircraft Ready for Shipping from New Zealand to England - Updated

Thanks to AirflowNZ for drawing our attention to their recently uploaded vlog regarding Bristol Freighter NZ5911/ZK-EPG. 

For our earlier coverage of the aircraft, please click HERE

Brief Island Stopover

Yesterday we mentioned the departure of Air Nelson's Q300 ZK-NEC as it crossed the Tasman Sea destined for Townsville and repaint into Air New Zealand's latest livery. The planned route was to have seen the aircraft fly from Norfolk Island direct to Brisbane, however prior to departure from Auckland it became apparent the enroute winds and airspace closures around the Queensland coast would make this direct sector unachievable. Therefore Southern Cross International replanned the flight to stage via Lord Howe Island for a gas'n'go. 

Sincere thanks to our man on the job at Lord Howe for catching ZK-NEC!

This was to be be just the second time the larger Bombardier Dash 8 variant has visited Lord Howe, the first was Air Nelson's original Q300 ZK-NEA under its Canadian delivery registration C-FCPO back in late July 2005. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=c-fcpo

Eurocopter EC120 VH-VHJ

2002 edition Eurocopter EC120B VH-VHJ turned up at Wanaka 26 September having been shipped to New Zealand from Australia, so potentially flying in from Dunedin, Timaru or Christchurch! 

The helicopter has most recently been registered to Nautilus Aviation PTY of Cairns and it is understood will take up the registration ZK-HAM with Alpine Helicopters. This will be the third use of ZK-HAM, the first was applied to a gyrocopter from 1960 until 1963 and then to a Robinson R22 Mariner from 1997 until its demise in 2013. 

Snapped shortly after its arrival at Wanaka S Bunting photo. 

Air Nelson Q300 ZK-NEM re-enters service AND ZK-NEC heads offshore

Air Nelson's Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEM was immediately returned to passenger service the day after it arrived back in the country post repaint to the somewhat distinctive Air New Zealand black livery. 

Its first flight was NZ8306 Nelson to Wellington 28 September and it was captured by Terry Hodges as it departed the airline's home town. It then flew the following sectors:

NZ8315 Wellington-Nelson

NZ8310 Nelson-Wellington

NZ8820 Wellington-Hamilton

NZ8247 Hamilton-Palmerston North-Wellington

NZ8248 Wellington-Palmerston North-Hamilton

Over the next few days ZK-NEM is expected to visit a Woodbourne, Napier, Tauranga, Gisborne and Auckland for the first time in its distinctive colour scheme. 

As this post goes to air, Air Nelson Q300 ZK-NEC should have departed Auckland for Norfolk Island, Brisbane and Townsville as SXI1732, the delivery flight to paintshop Flying Colours being conducted by globally recognised ferry company Southern Cross International. 

Agusta A109E VH-NPX becomes ZK-IAW

Long term Ardmore resident Augsta A109E VH-NPX has migrated to the ZK register as of 27 September 2017 becoming ZK-IAW for Helico Ltd of Auckland.

Ardmore 27 September 2017 

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Post from 22 December 2016


Ex Royal Australian Navy Agusta A109E VH-NPX has been resident with Heliflite's Ardmore team since at least mid April this year.

Thanks to www.adf-serials.com - 

N42-505 c/n 11505 - previous I-LAON and F-GLEI

White in colour with blue titles - "Summer Uniform"

Leased to the RAN Raytheon Australia 02/2007 for a period of four years with 723 Sqn.

Fitted with a winch (and still is).

All three leased A109E retired from RAN service 09 March 2012 with this example becoming VH-NPX.

Ardmore December 2016. 

Military Movers

Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed C130J Hercules A97-441 arrived at Christchurch 16 September from Richmond as "Ausy 666". The J model then conducted a navigation exercise 17 September flying to Queenstown, Hokitika, Ohakea, Napier, Rotorua and eventually finishing the day at Whenuapai. It departed late morning 18 September heading to Townsville. 

United States Air Force Boeing C17 Globemaster III 99-0168 arrived at Whenuapai 17 September from Guam/Andersen as TREK107. It departed the following morning for its Honolulu/Hickam base via Pago Pago. 

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing BBJ A36-002 visited New Zealand 19 September arriving into Wellington from Norfolk Island. It then departed for a visit to Queenstown before heading to Canberra. It would seem given its flight path that the aircraft was on a training detail as it flew 18 September from Canberra to Port Vila, Noumea and then to Norfolk Island for the night. 

The most recent addition to the Royal Australian Air Force inventory paid a visit to Auckland 27 September when Airbus A330MRTT A39-006 arrived early afternoon from Canberra as ASY355 and departed a couple of hours later on return to Canberra and onto Amberley.

Long shot - A39-006 on long finals for Auckland. 

The multirole tanker transport had only arrived at the operating squadron's Amberley base on 02 September from Honolulu under its previous identity, MRTT039 and callsign AED339.

Spied by one of our roving reports - MRTT039 (A39-006) preparing to depart Honolulu in early September. 

All Black Q300!

Following the Air New Zealand tradition of having one aircraft in each fleet sporting the all black livery, Air Nelson's Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEM has been rolled out of the Flying Colours paint facility at Townsville in the distinctive livery marking the first time it has been worn by the type.

The aircraft returned to NZ late 27 September 2017 from Townsville via Brisbane and Norfolk Island as SXI1731 before adopting an Air Nelson callsign for the last sector home to Nelson.

The aircraft is set to re-enter service this morning. 

ZK-NEM on the move at Brisbane, L Fox photo

ZK-NEM was ferried across the Tasman on 13 September 2017 and sported a black radome and black fuselage ice protection panel alluding to the possibility of it being repainted black. 

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/2017/09/dash-8-q300-zk-nem-heads-offshore.html

The "All Black" aircraft in the Air NZ fleet are:

Boeing 777-319ER ZK-OKQ

Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZE

Airbus A320 ZK-OAB 

ATR76-600 ZK-MVA

Q300 ZK-NEM

Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 H4-BUS

Disruptions at Noumea based Air Calin provided the opportunity for Solomon Airlines to operate a charter service carrying passengers from Auckland to Noumea.

As a result, Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 H4-BUS made its way from Brisbane to Auckland during the predawn hours of 27 September as SOL9132. It then flew from Auckland to Noumea as SOL9133 in lieu of SB411 that should have operated Tuesday afternoon. The Solomon's A320 then made its way from Noumea back to Brisbane as SOL9134. 

H4-BUS was delivered to the carrier in May 2011 and I think this is its first visit to New Zealand.

Taxiing for departure from Auckland. 

Adhoc Visitors - Fuel Crisis related?

The fuel supply to Auckland International Airport is nearing its conclusion with Jet A1 now flowing from the refinery. However airlines are still conserving fuel allocations and re-routing some services to minimise fuel uplifts from Auckland reserves. 

In addition, some airline's have changed schedules and upsized aircraft and this was the case for Philippine Airlines with their four times per week operation through Auckland reduced to just two and the aircraft type upsized from Airbus A320 to Airbus A330-300, no doubt to cater for the reaccomodation of passengers but also to enable tankering fuel from/to Cairns. RP-C8766 operated the PR218/219 service 26 September. 

Also on 26 September, Emirates Sky Cargo operated Boeing 777-200 freighter A6-EFG through Auckland with the aircraft arriving from Singapore as UAE9822 and it departed a couple of hours later under the same flight number for Sydney. Airline's have bene limiting their cargo uplifts to minimise fuel burn and subsequent fuel uplift and the 777 may well have been employed to cater for cargo demand on the Tasman route. 

Rafale Display in the Stunning Switzerland Mountains!!! Sion Airshow

Very, very cool!! What a vantage point to view this show!

Eurocopter AS350B3 ZK-IMY

Registered to Te Anau Helicopter Services earlier this month is the smart Eurocopter AS350B3 Squirrel ZK-IMY. The helicopter was imported from the USA where it flew as N190AH.

ZK-IMY takes flight from Wanaka last week displaying its very snazzy scheme. 

Exercise Concludes

The Republic of Singapore Air Force F16D Fighting Falcon deployment to RNZAF base Ohakea has concluded with the 6 aircraft departing early afternoon 25 September for Amberley. The jets are expected to continue to Darwin today then to Tengah 27 September.

Thanks to Derek Quinn for the F16 departure shots

Leading up to their departure, RSAF Lockheed C130 Hercules 732 arrived Ohakea mid afternoon 23 September from Amberley and was followed a short time later by KC130 Hercules 730 arriving from Rockhampton where it has been on exercises. 732 departed Ohakea 25 September for Amberley while 730 is due to depart today for Amberley. (did not operate 26 September).

In addition, Boeing KC135 753 arrived at Amberley 24 September from Singapore and was then employed to carry out air to air refueling for the F16's across the Tasman Sea.

Thanks to Pieter Jansen for these shots.

The exercise was temporarily suspended during the latter phase of the deployment as the NZ Defense Force preserved their Jet A-1 fuel supplies and supported civilian fuel uplifts by sending tankers to New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Napier. 

Cessna 172S VH-AVR - UPDATED

Cessna 172S VH-AVR has resurfaced at Ardmore and is now wearing the registration ZK-CAA however at the time of this updated post the online aircraft register was yet to acknowledge its existence. This is the second use of ZK-CAA, the first was on a Cessna 172B from April 1961 until October 2015!! Photo of the first ZK-CAA at the link below:

http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2010/11/black-sands-2010-non-sports-aircraft.html

Ardmore 18 September 2017 

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Post from 23 August 2017:

This month's theme seems to be reporting on aircraft ferrying across the Tasman Sea, and yet another Tasman crossing has been made, this time by Cessna 172S VH-AVR.

The glass cockpit configured 2006 model Cessna arrived into Norfolk Island after dark 19 August having flown from Archerfield via a brief stop at Lord Howe Island. It continued onto Kerikeri and Ardmore arriving late afternoon 20 August. Not long after this photo was taken the aeroplane was observed departing Ardmore for points unknown but appears to have returned to Ardmore as it was next spotted flying to Napier 22 August but was back at Ardmore the next day. 

Ardmore 21 August 2017. 

But Wait - there's more!

Yet another Virgin Australia retired ATR72-500 has turned up at Nelson, this time VH-FVU "Double Island Point". It arrived direct from Melbourne 21 September as VOZ9948 joining VH-FVH, FVL and FVM.

http://www.aussieairliners.org/ATR-42-72/vh-fvu/vhfvu.html

Gas'n'Go

As already widely reported across all branches of the media, the fuel supply to Auckland International Airport has been compromised close to its source some 160km north of the city near Marsden Point. The storage facility near Auckland is been carefully managed with just 30% of the daily average of fuel being made available to airline's as the supplier endeavours to create a window of opportunity to repair the damaged pipe while retaining some fuel for flight operations, albeit at the much reduced capacity. 

Significant disruptions are being incurred by all operators through Auckland with multiple flight cancellations across the country and to international destinations, while long haul services are making the hop to nearby airports in Australia and the Pacific Islands to uplift sufficient fuel to reach their destinations. 

Air New Zealand, being the dominant operator at Auckland, took the step of flying an empty Boeing 777-200ER to Wellington and back late on the afternoon of 19 September to uplift a significant fuel load and fly it north for use ex Auckland. ZK-OKE made the trip south as ANZ6235 and after a couple of hours on the ground departed as ANZ6236.

Out of the Air New Zealand 777-200 visitors through Wellington in recent times, this is the first to wear the airline's new livery to drop in on the Capital.

Air New Zealand sent a second widebody to Wellington for the purpose of fuel carriage with Boeing 787-9 ZK-NZF arriving from Auckland 20 September as ANZ6237 and departing a couple of hours later as ANZ6238 back to Auckland before making the longhaul journey to Buenos Aires as ANZ30.

Bonus shot - Singapore's Boeing 777-200 9V-SRP short finals with the Dreamliner turning onto long finals - not often two widebodies in the pattern @ Wellington!!

In addition, Qantas flew Boeing 747-400 VH-OEG from Sydney to Auckland late 20 September as QFA6011 solely for the purpose of delivering fuel for onward delivery to Jetconnect and Jetstar aircraft. It positioned back to Sydney early afternoon 21 September. 

Earthrounder touches down

Brian and Sylvia Foster spent two years building their very smart Vans RV10 ZU-IHF and embarked from Port Alfred, South Africa on 27 May 2017 at the commencement of an open ended around the world trip. The duo visited EAA Airventure Oshkosh in late July and then navigated their way westward, ultimately departing Pago Pago for Auckland arriving a few minutes before sunset 20 September. 

Maho Beach post Hurricane Irma

Almost two weeks on from devastating Hurricane Irma that slammed into the Caribbean Islands severely damaging everything in its path, the local population of the most affected regions are struggling to comprehend the daunting task of rebuilding their lives. 

The world famous St Maarten/Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) sustained a massive hit by the 200mph plus winds and huge storm surges associated with Irma as the hurricane made a direct hit on the joint Dutch/French island. The tourist mecca has been crippled by the event as outlined in the news article here and here

Relief efforts are in progress across the Caribbean ahead of yet another hurricane spawning over the warm Atlantic waters and aiming for the region.

Airlines and military support from across the Atlantic have provided airlift capacity to deliver aid and personnel and depart with those escaping the disaster zone. The most recent "exotic" visitor was a Royal Jordanian Airlines Dreamliner https://thepointsguy.com/2017/09/royal-jordanian-st-maarten/

Our collective thoughts are with all those so deeply impacted by this horrific natural disaster :-(

Thank you to Steadfast for forwarding this internet sourced images.

Perimeter fence in ruins at the threshold of runway 10. Thousands of tourists have clung to this fence to experience the exhilarating jet blast from departing aircraft. A C17 can be seen parked on the ramp outside the severely damaged terminal building. 

The famous Sunset Bar a scene of destruction, although the surfboard that is used as an airport information arrivals board still stands defiantly. 

Our family had the distinct pleasure of visiting SXM just under two years ago and this connection brings us a sense of significant sadness for those affected by this.

http://mrcaviation.blogspot.co.nz/search?q=maho

Yak 3 ZK-VVS "Full Noise 35" Roared at Reno!

Congratulations to Graeme and all the team for the magnificent effort at this year's Reno Air Race!!
http://nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2017/09/full-noise-is-seventh-in-unlimited-gold.html


Great little article in news website Stuff as well https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/motorsport/96963425/burt-munro-of-the-skies-goes-full-noise-over-nevada-desert

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Original post from 12 September 2017

Omaka-based Yak 3 ZK-VVS, operated by Fighter Flights Ltd and owned by Graeme Frew, has established a temporary base at Reno, Nevada, participating in this year's spectacular Reno Air Races.

Dubbed "Full Noise" and christened with race number 35 in honour of international motorbike racing legend Burt Munro of Invercargill whose famous Indian motorbike wore 35 for its record breaking under 1000cc speed record across the Bonneville Salt Flats inAugust 1967. 

ZK-VVS was shipped from NZ to Chino, California where it was reassembled by JEM Aviation.

Graeme ferried the Yak 3 north to Reno a few days ago and has since conducted a couple of fine tuning flights including a pilot qualifying circuit. 

http://airrace.org

Photo of ZK-VVS nestled amongst the birds at Reno, NV. Photo via Fighter Flights Facebook page.

 https://www.facebook.com/Fighter-Flights-1692781167670489/

http://www.fighterflights.co.nz

Low-level Flying Mach-Loop with some rare aircraft!

Very impressive! Perhaps a bucket list item for some, but a great deal of patience required I'd suggest waiting for the aircraft to strut their stuff.

Dash 8-Q300 ZK-NEM heads offshore - briefly

Air Nelson's Dash 8-Q300 ZK-NEM positioned from Nelson to Auckland 13 September 2017 under an Air Nelson flight number before taking up a Southern Cross International identity for the ferry flight from Auckland to Norfolk Island, Brisbane and Townsville as SXI1730. It was then inducted to the Flying Colours printshop for re-livery in the latest Air New Zealand scheme. 

ZK-NEM, with the ice protection panel stripped of paint and a black nose cone, makes its way through Brisbane 13 September. 

ATR72-600 ZK-MVQ - Delivery Concluded

As mentioned earlier in the month, Mount Cook Airline has now taken delivery of its 17th ATR72-600 68 seater airliner with ZK-MVQ touching down at Christchurch 12 September at the conclusion of its delivery flight from Toulouse. The delivery was once again undertaken by Southern Cross International and was allocated the callsign SXI1737. The route flown differed from earlier deliveries with it departing Toulouse for Trabzon, Turkey, then picking up the standard sectors of Al Ain, Nagpur, Subang/Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Bali, Darwin and Brisbane.

Short finals to land Darwin. 

 

On layover at Brisbane. 

At home - shortly after arriving in Christchurch. 

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Posted 04 September 2017

Mount Cook Airline is expecting to take delivery of its 17th -600 series ATR72 in the form of ZK-MVQ MSN 1451. The 68 seat airliner has been test flying from Toulouse under its ATR test registration F-WWEX as seen in this photo supplied by John Spencer during his visit to the French airport on 28 August 2017. 

ZK-MVQ should turn up in New Zealand during the second week of September.